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Trustee - Universities We are seeking a Trustee who is either working in or has recently worked in or with a University Department related to Optometry or Ophthalmology, and is enthusiastic to take forward our education and training work with Universities in Africa. Closing date: Sunday 26th January 2020. Interviews will be held in February 2020. Expand Trustee - Universities Location: Meetings held in London and Gatwick Founded in 1985, Vision Aid Overseas has been helping some of the poorest people in the world to see more clearly. Whether you are a teacher in Ghana, a seamstress in Zambia or a school pupil in Ethiopia, poor eyesight can have a devastating impact on your life and livelihood. We are seeking a new Trustee to join our Board of Trustees, who is either working in or has recently worked in or with a University Department related to Optometry or Ophthalmology, and is enthusiastic to take forward our education and training work with Universities in Africa. This is an opportunity to help shape the fortunes of a charity whose work is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Africa. We have ambitious plans in our new strategy 2020-2030, to reach many more people, both in those countries where we currently operate and in new locations and through new partnerships. We are looking for Trustees who are interested and committed to the aims of Vision Aid Overseas and would like to join a dynamic, welcoming Board. All will have governance responsibility for overseeing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run with thorough safeguarding procedures in place and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. In line with our equal opportunities policy we welcome the widest possible range of expressions of interest in order to increase the diversity of our Board. This roles is not remunerated but modest expenses will be paid. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Vision Aid Overseas’ Trustee and Board Secretary Lucy Devine on [email protected] or the Board Chair Nora Colton on [email protected] If you are interested in applying please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter detailing your interest and in which role and the particular skills and knowledge you bring to [email protected] Closing date: Sunday 26th January 2020. Interviews will be held in February 2020. Specific Responsibilities In addition to general Trustee responsibilities, please see the full role description, we are looking for a Trustee who will help develop and support VAO’s links with UK and international Universities. Increasingly, Universities which we support in our programme countries are expressing an interest in collaborating with Universities in the UK and Ireland in terms of academic support and research. VAO can potentially play a role in fostering these kinds of partnerships, and as such, are looking for a Trustee who will be able to support us in developing a more intentional strategy for our engagement with some of the leading Optometry Universities in the UK and Ireland. The relationship would look at: Fostering University (UK/Ireland) - University (African) collaborations Developing VAO - University relationships Identifying other ways Universities could support VAO and vice versa, identified through mutual discussion Support the executive with developing research proposals and Identify possible funding streams for this work Identify possible methods of exchange placements including funding and long-term volunteers Person Specification Each Trustee must have: A commitment to the mission and value base of VAO. A commitment to the key policies of VAO – on Harassment and Misconduct, Whistle-blowing, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti-Bribery. A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. Strategic vision. Good, independent judgement. An ability to think creatively. A willingness to speak his/her mind. An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship (training/information will be offered in this area). An ability to contribute effectively to the workings of the VAO Board and any sub-committees or working groups. In addition to the above, this specific appointment is looking for Trustees that have: Professional links with UK Universities that run Optometry/Ophthalmology programmes. A solid understanding of UK and international higher education systems. A comprehensive network in academia in Optometry/Ophthalmology (and a willingness to use these networks to promote VAO). Experience in developing and/or supporting research in the field of eye health. To see the full role description click here.
Trustee - Optometrist or other eye health professional We are seeking a Trustee who will be an Optometrist, or other eye health professional, working in or alongside public health (ideally with programmes experience in Africa). This is an opportunity to help shape the fortunes of a charity whose work is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Africa. Closing date: Sunday 26th January 2020. Interviews will be held in February 2020. Expand Trustee - Optometrist or other eye health professional Location: Meetings held in London and Gatwick Founded in 1985, Vision Aid Overseas has been helping some of the poorest people in the world to see more clearly. Whether you are a teacher in Ghana, a seamstress in Zambia or a school pupil in Ethiopia, poor eyesight can have a devastating impact on your life and livelihood. We are seeking a new Trustee, who will be an Optometrist, or other eye health professional, working in or alongside public health (ideally with programmes experience in Africa), to join our Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to help shape the fortunes of a charity whose work is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Africa. We have ambitious plans in our new strategy 2020-2030, to reach many more people, both in those countries where we currently operate and in new locations and through new partnerships. We are looking for Trustees who are interested and committed to the aims of Vision Aid Overseas and would like to join a dynamic, welcoming Board. All will have governance responsibility for overseeing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run with thorough safeguarding procedures in place and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. In line with our equal opportunities policy we welcome the widest possible range of expressions of interest in order to increase the diversity of our Board. This roles is not remunerated but modest expenses will be paid. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Vision Aid Overseas’ Trustee and Board Secretary Lucy Devine on [email protected] or the Board Chair Nora Colton on [email protected] If you are interested in applying please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter detailing your interest and in which role and the particular skills and knowledge you bring to [email protected] Closing date: Sunday 26th January 2020. Interviews will be held in February 2020. Specific Responsibilities In addition to general Trustee responsibilities, please see the full role description, we are looking for a Trustee who will be able to advise on, and develop or share networks within the optometry and public health sectors, both in the UK and internationally. VAO is looking for a Trustee who will be able to support us in two key areas: Provide advice on technical/clinical aspects of Optometry, to ensure all our programmes are aligned with clinical best practice. Provide insight, knowledge and connections relating to global public health initiatives that include eye health. The role would advise on: Current Public Health trends and initiatives within eye health; Developing networks and partnerships within the wider public health space; New technology and innovation within the Optometry sector, and how this can be used within VAO programmes for trialling/testing; Developing research proposals and grant applications; VAO’s volunteering programme, in particular long-term and South to South volunteering, remote mentoring and trialling of new technologies. Person Specification Each Trustee must have: A commitment to the mission and value base of VAO. A commitment to the key policies of VAO – on Harassment and Misconduct, Whistle-blowing, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti-Bribery. A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. Strategic vision. Good, independent judgement. An ability to think creatively. A willingness to speak his/her mind. An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship (training/information will be offered in this area). An ability to contribute effectively to the workings of the VAO Board and any sub-committees or working groups. In addition to the above, this specific appointment is looking for Trustees that have: Worked within or alongside the Public Health Sector, ideally with experience of working with Public Health programmes in Africa; Current professional registration as an Optometrist or other eye health professional in the country they work in; A solid understanding of global sight loss and initiatives such as Vision 2020 and the World Report on Vision; A current understanding of eye health national plans; A comprehensive network within the national and global eye health sector, and a willingness to use these networks to promote and or represent VAO. Experience in developing and/or supporting research in the field of eye health. To see the full role description click here.
Trustee - Fundraising and Communications We are seeking a Trustee with a fundraising and/or communications background. This is an opportunity to help shape the fortunes of a charity whose work is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Africa. Closing date: Sunday 26th January 2020. Interviews will be held in February 2020. Expand Trustee - Fundraising and Communications Location: Meetings held in London and Gatwick Founded in 1985, Vision Aid Overseas has been helping some of the poorest people in the world to see more clearly. Whether you are a teacher in Ghana, a seamstress in Zambia or a school pupil in Ethiopia, poor eyesight can have a devastating impact on your life and livelihood. We are seeking a new Trustee, from a fundraising and/or communications background, to join our Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to help shape the fortunes of a charity whose work is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Africa. We have ambitious plans in our new strategy 2020-2030, to reach many more people, both in those countries where we currently operate and in new locations and through new partnerships. We are looking for Trustees who are interested and committed to the aims of Vision Aid Overseas and would like to join a dynamic, welcoming Board. All will have governance responsibility for overseeing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run with thorough safeguarding procedures in place and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. In line with our equal opportunities policy we welcome the widest possible range of expressions of interest in order to increase the diversity of our Board. This roles is not remunerated but modest expenses will be paid. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Vision Aid Overseas’ Trustee and Board Secretary Lucy Devine on [email protected] or the Board Chair Nora Colton on [email protected] If you are interested in applying please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter detailing your interest and in this role and the particular skills and knowledge you bring to [email protected] Closing date: Sunday 26th January 2020. Interviews will be held in February 2020. Specific Responsibilities In addition to the general Trustee responsibilities, please see the full role description, we are looking for a Trustee who will ensure that the charity is in the best possible position to both develop and deliver high quality strategies in fundraising and communications. Vision Aid Overseas is entering a new strategic period in 2020, and in particular we are looking for someone who will help shape and drive forward our plans for: Growing unrestricted income from a diverse portfolio of sources, with a focus in this period on individual giving, corporate giving and Major Donors/philanthropy; Increasing awareness and improving understanding of the charity’s vision and mission, both in the UK and on the global stage, at a pivotal phase in VAO’s long history; Deepening engagement with existing and new supporters and stakeholders, with a focus on improving our strategic use of digital tools to connect people both to us and to each other, ultimately to drive up income; Improving our impact reporting both internally and externally, to galvanise staff, volunteers, supporters, and stakeholders. This role will be a member of the Fundraising and Investment Committee. This group provides an opportunity to augment the skills and resources available to the charity via the recruitment of professionals skilled in specific types of fundraising and communications e.g. public relations, digital communications, corporate social responsibility etc. Person Specification Each Trustee must have: A commitment to the mission and value base of VAO. A commitment to the key policies of VAO – on Harassment and Misconduct, Whistle-blowing, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti-Bribery. A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. Strategic vision. Good, independent judgement. An ability to think creatively. A willingness to speak his/her mind. An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship (training/information will be offered in this area). An ability to contribute effectively to the workings of the VAO Board and any sub-committees or working groups. In addition to the above, this specific appointment is looking for a Trustee that has: Demonstrated expertise in securing unrestricted income and/or a track record of growing the public profile of organisations you have worked for (ideally in the charitable sector). Confidence in speaking and networking, with proven success of building productive relationships. Understanding of the interplay between fundraising/business development and communications and an ability to articulate this to colleagues and stakeholders. Exhibits enthusiasm for fundraising and communications and demonstrates a positive attitude. Ability to critically assess ideas and plans for fundraising and communications and a willingness to provide guidance and constructive feedback to charity staff and volunteers. To see the full role description and person specification click here.